NEWS - Trial Date Set for SSHBEA HPA Violators

I also believe that SSHBEA needs to be punished as well. They allowed these guys to show without checking the paperwork correctly. They also allowed someone with a lifetime suspension to be there on the grounds and helping with show horses. While I have worked in a show office and I understand things can get very busy, the fact remains that SSHBEA did not do their homework and pay attention to the HPA violations information.

Last week a federal court judge in Tennessee, U.S. Magistrate Judge William B. Mitchell Carter, set May 31 as the trial date for a Spotted Saddle Horse trainer and two other individuals accused of violating the Horse Protection Act (HPA). The act prohibits "soring," the deliberate injury of a horse's feet and legs to achieve a high-stepping gait.

Earlier this month a federal Grand Jury in Tennessee returned an indictment accusing Spotted Saddle Horse trainer Barney Davis, along with Christen Altman and Jeffery Bradford, of conspiring to violate the HPA by soring horses and falsifying forms and other paperwork required to exhibit animals.

According to the indictment, Davis allegedly placed bolts in horses' feet, taped blocks to horses' feet, and applied other soring techniques to horses prior to competition. The indictment also alleges that Davis would remove external devices prior to pre-performance HPA compliance inspections and inject horses with pain-reducing drugs to limit the animals' reactions to inspection procedures.

The indictment further alleges that Davis and Altman used others as nominee trainers to obtain trainers' licenses and that Davis, Altman, and Bradford falsified horse show entry forms and other documents claiming that Bradford and others were trainers of horses actually trained byDavis.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Steve Neff said Carter also ordered Davis to cease training or having contact with horses owned by others while the case is pending. Altman also was ordered to avoid contact with horses owned by others. Bradford was prohibited from having contact with horses located at Davis' farm.

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This list is a compilation of the official supporters of the PAST Act. It includes various horse organizations, veterinarians, trainers, celebrities, and professional equestrians. Feel free to use this list when you send in your letters to your Congresspersons concerning the PAST Act!

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I have been involved in the TWH industry for over 14 years. In that time, I have gone from mechanically manipulating my horse to gait to learning proper dressage methods to train my horses to carry me correctly in gait. I have seen soring first hand, and I am so saddened that this horrible form of abuse continues. I titled this blog "For the Tennessee Walking Horse" because I want to help the horse, not me, not the TWH industry, not any one particular group, no one but the horses themselves. I want to see soring and the tools used to sore horses be completely removed from the show ring.

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This blog was created as a site for information and personal thoughts concerning saving the Tennessee Walking Horse from the persistent and horrific practice of soring. We make every effort to be sure to have correct facts and consistent information. This blog also contains thoughts and opinions only. It is not to be considered legal advice, nor is it representative of any other associations, ranches, professionals, or other entities in the industry.